reticulate

adjective

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re·tic·u·late | \ ri-ˈti-kyə-lət

, -ˌlāt \

Definition of reticulate

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : resembling a net or network especially : having veins, fibers, or lines crossing a reticulate leaf

2 : being or involving evolutionary change dependent on genetic recombination involving diverse interbreeding populations

reticulate

verb

re·tic·u·late | \ ri-ˈti-kyə-ˌlāt

reticulated; reticulating

Definition of reticulate (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to divide, mark, or construct so as to form a network municipalities that reticulate electricity to consumers

intransitive verb

: to become reticulated

Other Words from reticulate Did you know? More Example Sentences Learn More About reticulate

Did you know?

Adjective

Though "reticulate" is used in many contexts, it finds particular use in the field of biology. "Reticulate" comes from the Latin word reticulum, meaning "small net." It first appeared in English in the mid-1600s and was used in connection with the study of plants even back then. Scientists use "reticulate" to describe a net-like formation of veins, fibers, or lines that crosses something. For example, a leaf with a pattern of veins that resembles a net would be called a "reticulate leaf."

Examples of reticulate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Kenya’s national parks and reserves cover just 8 percent of the country, and most big mammals—including almost all reticulated giraffes—live outside them. — Ed Yong, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2020 The front wing is gray with black spots and the wings tips are reticulated black blocks outlined in gray. — Beth Burger, Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati.com, 24 Jan. 2020 An autopsy found that Laura Hurst was killed Wednesday by an 8-foot reticulated python in a home that police said was filled with 140 snakes. — Vic Ryckaert, Indianapolis Star, 1 Nov. 2019 The record for longest snake living in captivity is held by a 25-foot, 2-inch reticulated python named Medusa, who is owned by Full Moon Productions Inc. in Kansas City, Mo., according to the Guinness World Records website. — Fox News, 17 July 2019 Maybe not this one, but reticulated pythons are considered the snake most likely to eat a human, the museum says. — Christina Maxouris, CNN, 16 July 2019 For a $3 ticket, guests can feed a carrot stick one of the zoo's reticulated giraffes. — Vic Ryckaert, Indianapolis Star, 5 July 2019 Fifty-four-year-old Wa Tiba was checking on her home vegetable garden when she was believed to have been attacked by a 23-foot reticulated python. — National Geographic, 18 June 2018 Tribun News Video screenshot The plantation is located near a rocky area of the Indonesian island, with caves and cliffs locals believe to be home to many giant reticulated pythons, the Associated Press reported. — Matthew Martinez, miamiherald, 16 June 2018 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reticulate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.